Everyday ethics: Financially strapped owner with a suffering cat

McCulloch, S P

Abstract

A two-year-old male cat has presented out of hours at a private clinic for depression and straining to urinate. Handling and being picked up in particular causes it to vocalise. Examination reveals a blocked bladder and the signalment, history and clinical presentation together suggest urolithiasis. Unfortunately, the owner does not have the £600 to £1000 required to stabilise, catheterise and hospitalise her pet for the weekend. The owner is upset because if she could afford the treatment, her pet would likely live a full life afterwards. It is also a difficult situation for the veterinary surgeon, who may have to euthanase the animal for these reasons, but what other options could the practitioner consider?

Citation

McCulloch, S. P. Everyday ethics: Financially strapped owner with a suffering cat. In Practice, 33(6), 297-298. https://doi.org/10.1136/inp.d3465

• Journal Article Type: Editorial
• Deposit Date: Nov 11, 2014
• Journal: IN PRACTICE
• Print ISSN: 0263-841X
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 297-298
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/inp.d3465
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1419363